The Druids in ancient England & Gual and the Romans in Europe both used evergreen branches to decorate their homes and public buildings to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Over the years, these traditions were adopted by Christians, who incorporated them as part of their Christmas holiday celebration.
Trees used specifically to celebrate Christmas are mentioned in the early 1600's in Germany and surrounding countries. The families would set up these trees in a prominent location of their home and decorate them with colored paper, small toys, food, and sometimes candles. As these people moved or immigrated to other countries, they brought this tradition with them.
Through the years many different things were used to decorate Christmas trees. As the world moved into the 1900's, many trees were decorated with strings of popcorn, homemade cards and pictures, cotton to look like snow, candy in all shapes and sizes, and occasionally, fancy store made glass balls and hand blown glass figurines. Candles were sometimes used, but often caused devastating fires, and many different types of candle holders were devised to try to prevent tree fires. Electric tree lights were first used just 3 years after Thomas Edison has his first mass public demonstration of electric lights back in 1879. The early Christmas tree lights were handmade and quite expensive.
Today, Christmas tree ornaments can be found in nearly every size, color, and shape imaginable, and they are used to decorate the millions of Christmas trees used throughout the world.
found in front of a small chapel in Germany
In Italy
The Czech Republic
Our State Capital
Trees used specifically to celebrate Christmas are mentioned in the early 1600's in Germany and surrounding countries. The families would set up these trees in a prominent location of their home and decorate them with colored paper, small toys, food, and sometimes candles. As these people moved or immigrated to other countries, they brought this tradition with them.
Through the years many different things were used to decorate Christmas trees. As the world moved into the 1900's, many trees were decorated with strings of popcorn, homemade cards and pictures, cotton to look like snow, candy in all shapes and sizes, and occasionally, fancy store made glass balls and hand blown glass figurines. Candles were sometimes used, but often caused devastating fires, and many different types of candle holders were devised to try to prevent tree fires. Electric tree lights were first used just 3 years after Thomas Edison has his first mass public demonstration of electric lights back in 1879. The early Christmas tree lights were handmade and quite expensive.
Today, Christmas tree ornaments can be found in nearly every size, color, and shape imaginable, and they are used to decorate the millions of Christmas trees used throughout the world.
A few pictures of some Christmas trees around the world:
found in front of a small chapel in Germany
In Italy
The Czech Republic
Our State CapitalO Christmas Tree
(composed by a German author)
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me;
How often has the Christmas tree
Afforded me the greatest glee!
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Much pleasure thou can'st give me.
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
From base to summit,
gay and bright,
There's only splendor
for the sight.
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
Thy candles shine so brightly!
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree!
O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee! !"
4 comments:
Lovely words. I think the Italian picture is my fav. Merry Christmas to you, Monica, and your man!
"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree" are the only words I got right in the song. Thanks for sharing all the words. I don't know what I always sing when I hear that song, but hopefully no one can hear me.
There is just something so wonderful about the holiday season - the lights - the air - the trees - the decorations - it changes people for the better.
Lovely post, Changes! I didn't know all those words either, and the pictures are beautiful..
Post a Comment